Tape dispenser



J. MADDALENA TAPE DISPENSER Nov. 5, 1963 Filed Feb. 2, 1960 j? 4 INVENTOR JOfi/I fiaa oa/e/za ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,109,570 TAPE DISPENSER .lohn Maddalena, Ringees, N..l., assignor to Johns-Manville Qorporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 2, 1968, Ser. No. 6,272 3 Claims. (a. 225-66) This invention rel-ates to a portable form of tape support and dispenser for pressure sensitive tapes and similar materials.

It is a primary object of the invention therefore to provide a device of this type which is supplied and used as a one-piece article, on which a roll of tape is easily mounted and which is unfailing in its operation.

It is a further object to provide a strong, fully reinforced device for this purpose, formed of few parts and with a minimum of movable elements, to assure uniform operation over a long period of time.

it is an additional object of this invention to provide a dispenser which is easily and readily operated and manipulated, and which provides for ready gripping of the tape after stripping of a section of tape from a tape roll.

in brief, this invention comprises a portable form of tape support and dispenser having a cylindrical sleeve on which a roll of tape is mounted. The sleeve is of a spring type, and is of such a nature that the roll of tape is freely movable therearound, but, at the same time, the fit is such that the sleeve does not readily slip out from Within the core of a roll of tape. A cutter head extends from the sleeve and, in operative position, rests upon the outside layer of tape. The head has a cutter therein for severing a strip of tape material, and it is situated with respect to the roll of tape so as to leave a gripping edge on the portion of the tape remaining on the roll. The head also has provision therein for exertion of pressure by the thumb or the web between the thumb and index finger of an operator, thereby permitting control of the slippage between the dispenser and the roll of tape and also providing the resistive pressure on the dispenser necessary to sever a strip of tape from a roll.

The above and other objects will be clear from the preceding brief description and the following more detailed description considered in connection with the drawings wherein:

FlG. 1 is a perspective view of the tape dispenser and a roll of tape, in position to be assembled;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled dispenser and tape, in position for the removal of a strip of tape from the roll;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the dispenser, taken from the rear of FIG. 2, showing the roll of tape in elevation; and

PEG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the assembly, taken on the line i-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring now to the details of the drawings, the roll of tape 8 shown is a standard form of pressure sensitive tape, wound spirally on a cylindrical core 9. The dispenser 6 includes an inner sleeve it}, formedof strong resilient material such as spring steel or brass. The sleeve is of cylindrical form, corresponding in width and curvature to the inner surface of the tape core 9' but having initially a diameter slightly larger than the interior surface of the core 9'. The exterior surface 11 of the sleeve is smooth, to enable the roll of tape to slide or slip over the exterior surface of the sleeve during tape removal. The sleeve 19 preferably extends as a cylindrical support for the roll of tape most of the distance around its axis, terminating in free ends 13 adjacent the space 12.

It will be understood that any length of sleeve which extends more than 180 around its axis could be used,

3,109,570 Patented Nov. 5., 1963 although for ease of proper adjustment and uniformity of operation a length just short of 360, as shown, is preferred. The width of the sleeve is preferably approximately the same as that of the core 9, although an exactly equal width is not required. An attachment lug14 is secured to the interior surface of the sleeve iii, as by brazing, soldering or otherwise secured in any manner, permitting the exterior sleeve surface to remain smooth and uninterrupted.

The tape cutter head 15, preferably formed of strong, rigid sheet metal is especially designed to permit removal to a position such that a roll of tape can be placed over the sleeve 10, when in compressed condition, as shown in FIG. 1, and then moved to tape dispensing position as shown in FIG. 2. This is accomplished by providing a side supporting arm 16 fixedly connected to the head 15, and preferably integral therewith, which extends inwardly toward and is attached to the lug 14 on the sleeve 10, eccentrically with respect to the axis thereof. The arm 16 has a greater width where it joins the head proper, with a forward projection 16a for guiding the tape, the arm being curved rearwardly and becoming narrower toward the lower or inner end, which is hingedly affixed to the attachment lug 14 as by bolt 17, shown as threaded into the interior of the lug 14. A plate 18 is positioned on the opposite side of the head 15 from arm 16, plate 18 having a short, inwardly or downwardly projecting flange 19 extending in position adjacent a sidewall face of the roll of tape when in operative tape removal position, as shown in FIG. 2.

The head of the dispenser is shown as being formed of a strip of sheet metal to form a reinforced head 6 and handle Zil. Thus, the sheet metal extends horizontally at 21 to form the top of the head and rearwardly and downwardly at 22 (FIG. 3) to form a pressure surface for opposing the force required for cutting the tape. Ari angular extension 24 for the handle is return bent to extend into a curved section 25 to the bottom section 26 and rearward vertical Wall 28 0f the head. The ends of these sections are secured together, as by welding, as shown at 30.

It will be noted that the proportioning and positioning of the parts hereinabove described all contribute to the effective operation of the dispenser. Thus, the hinge for r the arm 16 is eccentric to the axis of the supporting sleeve 10, so that the head 6 moves toward or from the roll of tape when the head is moved forwardly or rearwardly. The hinge point 17 and the head 6 are approximately apart circumferentially, when the head is in operative (cutting) position, with the handle 2%} and pressure surface 22 being within this 90* arc. The handle, extending substantially tangentially to the underlying cylindrical surface of sleeve it), affords a sensitive and yet positive control of the tape.

The cutter bar is shown as a separate knife 32, secured to the upper section 21 of the head by screws 33. The knife is formed with a forwardly projected exposed cutting edge, shown as a serrated or saw tooth edge 34 in spaced relation with roll 8, for cutting off the desired length of the tape 36.

From the above description it will be seen that there has been provided a unitary or one-piece tape supporting and dispensing device on which the tape is easily mounted, as shown in FIG. 1, by elevating the head and compressing the sleeve and pressing the tape into position. With the cylindrical construction of the sleeve 10 provided in the preferred embodiment of the dispenser, the degree of slippage between core 9 and surface '11 can be controlled. If a tight fit is desired, the free ends 13 are spread apart slightly before insertion of the sleeve 10 into the core 9. If a loose fit is preferred, the ends 13 are pressed toward each other before insertion of the sleeve into the core. In one instance, the bias of the spring-like sleeve ll) is increased, while in the other instance the bias is decreased.

For tape removal, the hand of the operator grasps around the handle the fingers being inserted through the central opening in the. sleeve it). The passage of the fingers through the core of the tape is facilitated by the cunvature of the arm 16. The head is pressed into the position shown in FIG. 3 by thumb pressure at 22 or by the pressure of the web between the thumb and index finger of the hand. The exact position of the head and knife edge, as the tape -36 is unpeeled from the roll, is not critical. However, in withdrawing tape and when the withdrawn tape is to be severed, the tape and cutter head are under complete control. The fingers of the operator engage on both sides of the attachment ing 14, as an anchoring point for the hand. The op'erators thumb is engageable with the pressure section 22 and the hand, contacting handle 20, can apply pressure against the tape. Pulling upon the tape causes the core of the roll of tape to slide upon the outer surface of the sleeve It). This Will generally constitute sufficient resistance to turning to permit the tape to be withdrawn satisfactorily. However, the operator, by a slight pressure on the handle, can increase this tension, or by easing up on the hand pressure, while retaining control of the device by reason of the enveloping but loose grip he maintains around the tape and sleeve and against the attachment lug, tapes of varying adhesion to the roll can be readily removed. The control of head pressure in this manner also assists in dispensing tape slowly, where accuracy of tape application is relatively important, or in dispensing tape at a rap-id rate. Thus, by applying hand and/ or thumb pressure to the handle 20 and pressure surface 22, the rate. at which the tape can be dispensed is appreciably decreased, thereby permitting close control of the manner of application of the tape. On the other hand, if the tape is desired to be dispensed at a relatively rapid rate, the hand and/or thumb pressure on the dispenser is relieved, thereby allowing removal of tape as fast as the operator can manipulate the dispenser and roll of tape.

During tape removal and severance, the unwound tape is guided to the cutting edge by Wings 16:: and .1-8. The roll of tape is at all times maintained in correct axial position by side arm 16 and wing '19. Owing to the reinforced construction of the cutter head and handle there is no tendency tor the parts of the dispenser to bend out of shape even though alight construction is used, required for a portable device of this type. After severance of a strip of tape, the remaining portion of tape has a short strip extending from the body of the roll of tape to the cutter edge 34. In the event an additional strip of tape is to be removed immediately thereafter, the short strip aifords a convenient gripping portion of the tape. The extending strip is freed from the cutter merely by rearward rotation of the dispenser about the roll of tape. On the other hand, if the tape is not to be reused immediately, the dispenser can be rotated in the opposite direction, thereby forcing the extending strip back to the body of tape to adhere therewith (FIG. 1).

It will be understood the device herein described and claimed will be made of the dimensions and sizes required :for the particular tape to be handled. This may include tapes from a fraction of an inch to several inches in width and tapes of any reasonable thickness of the spirally wound material.

While the invention has been described in rather full detail, it will be understood that these details need not be strictly adhered to and that various changes and modifications may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art, all falling within the scope of the invention as delined by the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1.- A unitary assembly of tape dispenser elements comprising: a compressible resilient cylindrical sleeve adapted apply pressure to resist rotational movement of said sleeve relative to said core; a single support arm pivotably attached to said lug for pivotal movement about a point radially inward from the outer periphery of said sleeve but removed from the central axis of said sleeve when in operating position, said arm extending outwardly from said sleeve and adjacent to an axial end thereof; a cutter head fixedly mounted on said support arm, said head and the pivotal movement point of said arm being circumferentially spaced; and a severing element on said head, said severing element bein in spaced relation with said roll of tape whereby upon severance of a strip of tape a short strip of tape extends from the body of the roll toward said severing element.

2. An assembled hand dispenser for a roll of tape comprising: an inner supporting sleeve of general cylindrical shape, said sleeve being formed of resilient material and extending lengthwise in cylindrical form through a major portion of a circle and terminating in yieldable free ends; an attachment lug secured to said sleeve adjacent ,the inner surface thereof and forming a manually engagable anchoring point for the operators hand for resisting movement of said sleeve relative to said core when a portion of the tape is being severed; a head; a single support arm extending inwardly trorn one side of said head and being pivotably attached to said lug for pivotal movement about a point radially inward from the outer periphcry of said sleeve but removed from the central axis of said sleeve when in operating position, said head being movable with respect to said sleeve in an arc eccentric to the axis of said sleeve; and a cutter bar on said head formed with a forwardly directed cutting edge for severing tape removed from said roll, said cutting edge being in spaced relation with said roll of tape, whereby upon severance of a strip of tape a short strip of tape extends from the body of the roll of tape toward said cutting edge.

3. in combination with a roll of tape having a hollow cylindrical core, a tape dispenser comprising: a cutter head; an inner resilient tape supporting sleeve extending lengthwise in a cylindrical path more than but less than 360; an attachment lug secured to said sleeve adjacent the inner surface thereof and forming a manually engagable anchoring point for the operators hand for resisting movement of said sleeve relative to said core when a portion of the tape is being severed; a support arm pivotably attached to said lug for pivotal movement about a point radially inward from the outer periphery of said sleeve but removed from the central axis of said sleeve when in operating position, said arm being fixedly attached to said head to support said head in outwardly spaced relation from said sleeve; and a severing element exposed at the forward end of said head, said severing element being in spaced relation with said roll of tape whereby upon severance of a strip of tape, a short strip of tape extends away from the body of the roll of tape, said sleeve having an exterior diaimeter when unconfined greater than the interior diameter of said core and being compressible to a diameter sufficiently reduced to receive and hold the core of said tape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,262,260 Smith Nov. 11, 1941 2,581,190 Hodges inn. 1, 1952 2,777,594- Krueger Ian. 15, 1957 2,788,181 Anderson Apr. 9, 1957 

1. A UNITARY ASSEMBLY OF TAPE DISPENSER ELEMENTS COMPRISING: A COMPRESSIBLE RESILIENT CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE ADAPTED FOR INSERTION INTO THE CORE OF A TAPE ROLL, SAID SLEEVE HAVING AN EXTERIOR DIAMETER WHEN UNCONFINED GREATER THAN THE INTERIOR DIAMETER OF SAID CORE AND BEING COMPRESSIBLE TO A DIAMETER SUFFICIENTLY REDUCED TO RECEIVE AND HOLD SAID CORE; AN ATTACHMENT LUG SECURED TO SAID SLEEVE INTERIORLY OF THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF AND FORMING A MANUALLY ENGAGEABLE ANCHORING POINT WHEREBY THE OPERATOR MAY APPLY PRESSURE TO RESIST ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID SLEEVE RELATIVE TO SAID CORE; A SINGLE SUPPORT ARM PIVOTABLY ATTACHED TO SAID LUG FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A POINT RADIALLY INWARD FROM THE OUTER PERIPHERY OF SAID SLEEVE BUT REMOVED FROM THE CENTRAL AXIS OF SAID SLEEVE WHEN IN OPERATING POSITION, SAID ARM EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID SLEEVE AND ADJACENT TO AN AXIAL END THEREOF; A CUTTER HEAD FIXEDLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT ARM, SAID HEAD AND THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT POINT OF SAID ARM BEING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED; AND SERVING ELEMENT ON SAID HEAD, SAID SEVERING ELEMENT BEING IN SPACED RELATION WITH SAID ROLL OF TAPE WHEREBY UPON SEVERANCE OF A STRIP OF TAPE A SHORT STRIP OF TAPE EXTENDS FROM THE BODY OF THE ROLL TOWARD SAID SEVERING ELEMENT. 